Helen Keller Education Act

Bill Number: H.R. 9196
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Education
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-06-08: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Last Updated: 2026-07-08T16:19:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Helen Keller Education Act (H.R. 9196)

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to improve access to specialized education and support services for children and youth who are deafblind. It aims to ensure these individuals receive evaluations, instruction, and related services tailored to their combined hearing and vision impairments, regardless of how states classify their disabilities.

Key Provisions Outlined

Definition of deafblind: Establishes a specific definition for individuals with concomitant hearing and visual impairments that limit access to information, cause communication challenges, and affect development and education.
Identification and classification: Requires states to identify and serve children who are deafblind even if classified under other disability categories, and to report data on such children.
Related services: Adds "intervener services" (provided by qualified interveners) as a related service for children who are deafblind.
State plans: Mandates states to submit an addendum within two years describing how they will evaluate and serve deafblind children, ensure qualified personnel availability, and address needs like language development, communication, and social skills.
Evaluations: Requires assessments of language, communication proficiency, and access to grade-level content in the child's preferred mode (including tactile methods), with involvement of trained personnel.
IEP considerations: Adds specific requirements for addressing language and communication needs in individualized education programs for deafblind children.
Technical assistance and regulations: Directs the Secretary of Education to develop policy guidance and issue regulations defining deafblindness and intervener services.
Early intervention: Updates plans for infants and toddlers who are deafblind to include ongoing language assessments, communication goals, and family support.
Personnel development: Supports training programs for teachers of the deafblind, interveners, and early intervention specialists.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

Expands the definition of "child with a disability" to explicitly include deafblindness.
Requires states to account for deafblind children in data collection even when classified elsewhere.
Introduces mandatory state addendums to IDEA plans focused on deafblind needs.
Mandates inclusion of intervener services and specific evaluation protocols for communication and sensory access.
Updates early intervention content requirements and personnel preparation priorities under national activities.

Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations

Government agencies: State education agencies must revise plans, enhance data reporting, and ensure availability of specialized personnel; the U.S. Department of Education must issue guidance and regulations within set timelines.
Citizens: Families of deafblind children may gain improved access to appropriate services and evaluations; educators and service providers face new qualification and training expectations.
International relations: No direct impacts identified in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected by This Legislation

Children and youth who are deafblind, including those with additional disabilities, and their families.
State and local education agencies responsible for special education compliance.
Teachers, interveners, early intervention specialists, and related service providers.
Advocacy organizations, parent groups, and national organizations focused on deafblindness.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens requirements under IDEA by adding specific mandates for a defined subgroup, with enforcement tied to state plan compliance and data reporting.
Constitutional: Operates within Congress's authority to fund and regulate education programs for individuals with disabilities.
Political: Introduced with bipartisan sponsorship; focuses on targeted supports without broader systemic changes to IDEA.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

Helen Keller Education Act

AI-Generated Summary